Egypt looks to develop peaceful nuclear energy capabilities – minister

Egypt is seeking to develop its peaceful use of nuclear energy, said Electricity and Energy Minister Mohamed Shaker on Monday

Addressing the 63rd conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Shaker said the UN agency appreciates Egypt’s efforts to develop its infrastructure to benefit from nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Within this regard, Egypt has applied to host the agency’s 2021 conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Shaker said.

The minister underlined the importance of banning nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and subjecting all countries without exception to nuclear inspection.

Egypt is planning to build its first nuclear power plant in Matrouh governorate on the Mediterranean coast, 250km west of Alexandria.

Construction on the plant is expected to start in 2020.The Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation will develop the Dabaa nuclear power plant, which will be owned and operated by the Nuclear Power Plant Authority of Egypt.

According to the project design, the nuclear plant will have four VVER-1200 reactor units.

Source: MENA